Hi all from Vancouver Island BC! I was born here, left for 6 1/2 years, came back, and I can't think of any place I'd rather be! There is so much to see and do in this world, but this is home to me, and I thought I'd share some of it with you.

I've been on 2 wheels my whole life, but only with a motor since spring 2011. My background was Observed Bicycle Trials and Freeride/ Downhill, and was how I commuted for 10 years, rain shine or snow. I even made studded tires when I lived in Prince George! This is my first motorcycle, a 2004 Suzuki DRZ400S. I have yet to own a car. Getting a motorcycle allowed me to re-discover my home in a way not possible by bicycle or 4 wheled machine, and I finally got to see what was on the other side of hills of the Cowichan Valley, Sooke and beyond.

I've been adding to this thread everytime I find something interesting to ride or see on the Island since fall of 2011. I used to update it quite regularily, but living in Victoria on the very south end of the Island, I don't want to bore you with the exact same places everytime I go out! Expect to see more postings in the warmer months when I can get out more. A lot of the backroads get cut off by snow, even though we have the mildest winter in Canada.

My new TKC80's finally arrived! I picked them up on Saturday, and headed over to my buddy's Chris's place to mount them. We got the bike up on the "stand" ( a milk crate and cinder block! ) and prepared to remove the rear wheel. I wanted to check the state of the swing arm bushings, so I grabbed the rear wheel and shook it, and noticed some clunking......Oh bloody hell, a wheel bearing died! That explains the slight loss of power I was feeling!
I checked on it about 2 1/2 months ago, and it was a little bit rough on the non-drive side, but was nowhere near the point of disaster. I always seem to find these things out just before disaster strikes!

I got my buddy to phone the local shop, and they had one in stock! He went to pick it up for me, while I pounded on the outer race for a while. It took a good 1 1/2 hrs to push it out with the limited tools we had, but we got 'er done!

Off to Jordan River at 9:00 AM, It is a beautiful, sunny morning, but it is a damp 7 celcius out. Its time to start thinking about some heated gear! I hope the DRZ can handle a vest, and grips, they're on the wish list!
The plan is to meet up with Chris's friend Orillia on her Honda 200, and her friend Erin on a Kawasaki 750 Quad near Jordan River. We are then going to go up to Wye Lake for a short hike and lunch. This was a perfect opportunity to test my new tires and boots both on the road and off! I'm a little heavy on the rear brake with the new boots!

We climbed and climbed for 20 minutes, to about 900 meters. There were a few spots where you had to keep your momentum up to make it, but despite its steepness, the road was in quite good shape. There is one spot where half of a log bridge is missing, which ends up being a good thing for ADV'ers and hikers! keeps all 4 wheeled traffic but quads out!
Now for a short hike! always a challenge in new MX boots!

And the first Ice and Frost of the season! Of course, we are at altitude!

It may be fall, but the bush has an abundance of food if you know what to look for! There were still wild blueberries, huckleberries, and Chanterelle Mushrooms about!
Erin is a landscaper, and is quite the amateur Botanist. He explains that the mushroom in his hand is playing the part of a host for another fungus that grows on top of them.

Erin knew an old timer who used to bring kids out here to teach them how to climb trees properly with nothing more than rope and spurs! The place looks like it may have been a hunter's camp at one point.

went out for a ride today, weather looked promising, and then the skies opened! I haven't seen that much water on the road for a while. I was going to go fish the cowichan river, but having been pelted with rain, I aborted in favor of either Oliphant or Spectacle Lake. I pulled off onto the south Shawnigan turnoff, to try and find the back way in.

The rain stopped, but its too late,my pants are soaked through! good to know they need waterproofing again before i go on a longer trip. So far my jacket is still holding out. I'm Loving the new TKC 80 Continental tyres! No trouble finding traction so far! a bit more float in the loose stuff, but still quite predictable. Theyre beautiful on pavement too! Much more assuring in the wet than my true knobbies!

Where is that lake???

I couldn't remember the way to the lakes! it's a maze of trails in here, I still had lots of fun here! i've been here a couple of times before, and i'm still trying to find my way around. Its about the best close-to-victoria site around for dirt!

It was a good fun day in the wet, I'm not cold yet, but i'm wet, so I'm going home before I end up with hypothermia! I'm gonna have to figure out how to manage this water business a bit better! Oh well, it was Good fun!